Project descriptions:
Developing Interdisciplinary Adaptation Initiatives at Columbia
Columbia University is in the early stages of a university-wide three-year initiative focused on climate adaptation. In year one of the initiative, Columbia is taking inventory of its existing activities and capacity on climate adaptation within the Earth Institute and other units across the University. The first year is focused on learning about interdisciplinary work in order to identify key research questions that 1) have the potential for near-term progress of high impact, and 2) would engage a large community of scholars across the Institute and Columbia. Capstone students are supporting and contributing to this initiative by conducting literature reviews to help identify emerging research topics, developing a resource database for course offerings, and convening a panel discussion for students and practitioners to further engage on topics of climate adaptation.
Tracking and Reducing Columbia Air Travel to Minimize Harmful Environmental Emissions
Columbia University is committed to developing protocols and policies that support the measurement and subsequent decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) and particulate matter associated with all university-related travel. Of the many kinds of travel, many of which Columbia already has programs focused around reducing, air travel reduction/offsets stands out in contrast as an area that requires research and consideration to advance. Capstone students will assist Columbia’s Sustainability Planning team to explore best practices across organizations, and determine the most effective approach to track and reduce GHG emissions generated by university-related travel.
